Crash for cash insurance scams and slap fighting uncovered in new investigative documentaries exclusively for Channel 4 YouTube

Channel 4 has commissioned two new digital documentaries to air on Channel 4 Documentaries on YouTube. Crash for Cash: Uncovered and Slap Fighting: Uncovered are a further two commissions in response to the Nations and Regions Digital Factual Brief.

Liverpool-based Zandland are making Crash for Cash: Uncovered, a 1x20’ film in which investigative journalist Mike Okay goes inside the gangs that crash cars for cash, scamming insurance companies and innocent drivers. 

Mike is brought into the scammers’ world by mysterious gang boss Abdul and learns just how deep the operation goes. He meets the broad network of Abdul’s scamming business, from the gang members who willingly orchestrate crashes, as well as doctors and insurance workers who facilitate claims from the inside. 

Crash For Cash: Uncovered airs on Channel 4 Documentaries on YouTube on Sunday 2nd November from 5pm. 

Slap Fighting: Uncovered (1x20’) is produced by Belfast-based Recorded Time, in partnership with Northern Ireland Screen, and sees comedian and combat sports-lover Elliot Steel get up-close to the growing and controversial sport of Slap Fighting. 

Slap fighting is a sport in which two fighters alternate slapping one another as hard as they can in the hope of knocking their opponent (who is not allowed to block, dodge or even flinch) out. As slap fighting leagues grow around the world, Elliot sets out to understand more about the sport which has received criticisms over safety. He meets stars of ‘Britslap’ and joins a fighter in training as he prepares for a big match. Elliot also attends his first slap fighting match and speaks to a scientist specialising in concussions in sport, as he asks whether slap fighting is the new combat sport for the TikTok generation or a vehicle for giving fighters brain injuries.

Slap Fighting: Uncovered will air on Channel 4 Documentaries on Sunday 9th November from 5pm.

Crash For Cash: Uncovered is commissioned by Catriona White, Digital Commissioning Executive and Slap Fighting: Uncovered is commissioned by Thomas Pullen, Digital Commissioning Executive, both with Sacha Khari, Head of Digital Commissioning. Crash For Cash: Uncovered is produced by Zandland where the executive producers are Josh Reynolds and Benjamin Zand, producer-director is Alfie Turner and Rebecca Fleckney developed and produced the film. Slap Fighting: Uncovered is produced by Recorded Time, in partnership with Northern Ireland Screen, and the executive producer is Jackie Doyle, with Angus Gibson as director.

Catriona White, Digital Commissioning Executive for Channel 4, said: “Crash for Cash is an excellent bit of access-driven filmmaking from Zandland. It not only exposes a shocking scam, but also the scale at which that scam operates and how it can affect all of us. Mike Okay investigated brilliantly, and we’re so excited to bring him to Channel 4 audiences for the first time.”

Thomas Pullen, Digital Commissioning Executive, said: “Slap fighting has been dominating algorithms the world over. It’s brutal, bizarre and impossible to look away from. Elliot’s investigation sensitively pulls back the curtain on this growing phenomenon, diving into a world that’s as gripping as it is dangerous. Slap Fighting: Uncovered is adrenaline-charged, thought-provoking viewing that’ll have audiences watching through their fingers right to the final slap!”

Benjamin Zand, executive producer for Zandland, said: “Crash for Cash: Uncovered is exactly the type of journalism we champion at ZANDLAND — bold, access-driven and right at the heart of the story. Mike brings such a strong and unique approach as a creator who’s used to getting access to incredible worlds, which lets audiences experience the story up close as he does. It’s a scam most people never think about, yet it affects millions of drivers, and we’re proud to continue to partner with Channel 4 to shine a light on these hidden and important stories.”

Jackie Doyle, executive producer for Recorded Time, said: ’’It’s been a real eyeopener, watching Elliot and the team get to grips with slap fighting, so thanks to Channel 4 and Northern Ireland Screen for setting us all off on this journey. The film presents conflicts on the stage but also in our own heads as we join with Elliott in juggling the risks and rewards and rights and wrongs of this growing phenomenon. It’s a credit to Elliot, our slap fighters Louis and Craig and director Angus Gibson that we remain captivated and conflicted to end.’’